Volume 84 | January 2018 Download a PDF of this newsletter here!

OTC Annual Dinner Meeting Features Raevyn Rogers

The annual Dinner and Business Meeting will be held Tuesday, February 13 in the Club Room at Autzen Stadium.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. OTC will host a buffet dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. A brief business meeting will follow the dinner.

Raevyn Rogers will be the guest speaker. She was recently honored with Award as top female collegiate athlete in the sport of NCAA track & field.

Rogers is a six-time NCAA champion and eight-time all-American for the Ducks. She joined the professional ranks in 2017. Rogers, a , native, Raevyn Rogers also won three PAC 12 titles during her UO career. She dominated the collegiate women’s 800 meters during her three years at Oregon. Rogers also captured titles as a member of the 4 x 400 relay team. To renew your regular Rogers holds the collegiate women’s record in the 800 meters with a time of 1:59:10. membership, She was a member of the 4 x 400 UO crew that set the current event record with a click below. time of 3:23:13.

All current (2018) OTC adult members are invited to attend the dinner and meeting. Members will receive an email invitation by January 27th with an easy RSVP reply REGULAR process. The dinner portion of the evening is limited to the first 330 members who respond to the RSVP by February 8th. To renew your The business meeting will include the election of the Board of Directors, 2018 budget business approval, the Reske and Brathwaite Award presentations and updates on the UO track membership, and field program and OTC Elite programs. click below.

Vin Lananna, USATF and TrackTown USA president, and Michael Reilly, TrackTown USA CEO, will give progress reports on what’s ahead in 2018 for TrackTown and BUSINESS .

A New Look for the OTC Newsletter

As you can tell, your OTC newsletter reading experience has changed with this issue of OnTrack. Thank you,

OTC is pleased to announce that the newsletter is now a Jim Murez! true e-newsletter. All the content is viewable in the email you receive, no more link to the newsletter posted on the Jim Murez has retired as OTC website. OTC newsletter editor. The Club wants to thank This new email format will allow easier, more direct Jim for taking on this access to the newsletter articles. It will also allow active demanding volunteer job and doing such an hyperlinks embedded in articles so you have access to excellent job. related material on the Internet. It has been challenging to produce an eight to The change provides enhanced opportunities to integrate 12-page newsletter each month while Club news with the OTC social media accounts. balancing a full time job and family responsibilities. This new format is mobile device friendly as well as readable on a lap top or desk top computer. Murez took over as editor in December 2014 and has maintained the newsletter quality and Let us know what you think of this newsletter change by interesting content during his tenure sending your thoughts to [email protected]. overseeing production.

A reminder that printed copies of the newsletter will no The good news is Murez will remain active in longer be mailed to readers. This money saving change the Club. He is currently a member of the was announced in the December issue of the newsletter. OTC Board of Directors. Those who are unable to receive the newsletter via email or need to have a hardcopy version mailed to them for Long time OTC member Phil Sutton has whatever reason can contact the OTC office at (541) 343- taken over as editor beginning with the 7247 or email [email protected]. January issue.

Rogers Wins Top Award

Raevyn Rogers recently won the Bowerman Award as the top female collegiate athlete in the sport of NCAA track & field.

Rogers, a six-time NCAA champion and eight-time All-American for the Ducks, recently joined the professional ranks after her junior UO season.

Other two finalists for the award were Arizona State's Maggie Ewen and Georgia's .

Out of the Blocks: Happy New Year! by Kevin Marbury, OTC president

I hope that your holiday season was filled with fun, family, and love and that each of you has had a chance to rest, relax and recharge. This is a time of excitement as we anticipate what the new year will bring. Many of us are motivated by New Year’s resolutions and are trying to get off to a great start. As a sprinter, I can especially appreciate the importance of a great start. I know that if I get out strong, I am going to have a chance to win the race. At the same time, if I get left in the blocks, my chance to Kevin Marbury be successful significantly decreases.

Likewise, the new year will present many exciting activities, events and opportunities in which you can be involved with the OTC. If you’re a runner, we have a wonderful slate of road, track and field activities for which you can train and compete. We’ll offer opportunities that range from All Comers meets to the Hayward Classic and Butte to Butte, to name a few. If you want to watch the best in the world, the Pre Classic is an event you don’t want to miss. Of course, if you want to get even closer to the action, we’re always looking for volunteers at these events as well as many of the other events we offer.

Behind the scenes, the Board has been working to identify ways to be more effective in delivering opportunities for the community. We’ve had a series of meetings examining our organization structure while trying to strategically position the OTC for future sustainable successes. We’ve generated a great start with our Board discussions and should be able to present some exciting concepts in the near future!

Another start I am excited to announce concerns the monthly newsletter you are currently reading. Phil Sutton has agreed to take on the job as editor of the newsletter. Phil has been working with the editorial crew for a while now so he was destined to get off to a great start. However, Phil’s start wasn’t out of the blocks. Instead, he got a flying start after a great relay leg by outgoing editor Jim Murez. Jim is stepping away to spend more time with his family. All of us in the OTC are very grateful for the work Jim did as editor of the newsletter. I am especially indebted to Jim for his patience and encouragement as I often struggled to get him my article anywhere near the deadline! Thanks for everything, Jim! As you can see there’s a lot going on as we leave the blocks and spring into 2018. I hope to see you in an adjoining lane so you can help us to get this year off to a great start!

Vin’s Track Town: 2018 Promises ​To Be A Great Year for TrackTown by Vin Lananna

As we enter the New Year, I can’t help but look ahead with great anticipation for yet another outstanding season of world-class track and field in the TrackTown USA community. Vin Lananna Besides hosting the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the sixth consecutive year, historic Hayward Field will be the site of the 44th annual Prefontaine Classic, the OSAA State High School Championships, the UO Twilight Vin Lananna is Meet, and the Pepsi Team Invitational. the As​sociate Athletic Direc​tor In addition, three of our most popular programs return in 2018: at the University The first TrackTown Tuesday will be held on Jan. 9 at the Downtown Athletic th of Oregon, Club, marking the 12 season of connecting the sport of track and field with the President of local community. TrackTown USA TrackTown Fitness – which is free and open to all – begins on Sunday, Jan. and President of 21 at Hayward Field. The 8 a.m. gatherings serve as a perfect 14-week build-up USATF. to the Eugene Marathon events on April 27-29. The highly acclaimed TrackTown Youth League presented by Providence Sports Medicine returns for a fifth straight year, with the championships scheduled to be held shortly after the end of competition on the final day of the NCAA meet.

All of these initiatives continue to grow in both numbers and importance in large part due to the unwavering support of the many volunteers and officials at the Oregon Track Club. I can’t thank you enough for all of your hard work and dedication in helping us enhance and celebrate our sport as we move closer to the 2021 IAAF World Championships!

Speaking of which, a few weeks ago, we launched the inaugural edition of the TrackTown USA Newsletter, an exciting new project which will provide vital news and information on Oregon21 in the lead-up to that once-in-a-lifetime event. To join our mailing list, sign up at gotracktownusa.com.

We’re also pleased to announce the addition of three newcomers to OTC Elite, the outstanding professional training group which has been based in the Eugene-Springfield community since 2006. They are former UO standout Luke Puskedra (marathon), Virginia Tech alum (middle distance) and BYU alum Shea Collinsworth (middle distance). Green was the 2017 NCAA 800m runner-up behind Oregon’s Raevyn Rogers, while Collinsworth placed fourth in that race.

Those three athletes will join a highly decorated group operating under the guidance of Coach Mark Rowland. Last year’s highlights included a silver medal in the women’s 800m at the World Championships by Francine Niyonsaba; a Diamond League championship in the men’s 800m by Nijel Amos; a U.S. title in the men’s 10,000m by ; and a U.S. championship in the men’s indoor mile by .

One final note.

Last month at the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association convention, Oregon’s Raevyn Rogers was chosen as the 2017 recipient of the Bowerman Award, college track and field’s most prestigious honor. She became the third UO woman to win the award, joining (2014) and (2015).

Rogers, who joined the professional ranks last summer, was undefeated against collegiate competition in 2017. Besides claiming NCAA indoor and outdoor 800m titles, she thrilled a sold-out crowd at Hayward Field with an unforgettable anchor leg on the 4x400m relay which broke the collegiate record and clinched the “Triple Crown” for the Ducks.

I can’t wait for the 2018 indoor season to get started. Last year, the UO women scored a meet-record 84 points to win their seventh NCAA Indoor crown in the past eight years, while the UO men also found themselves on the awards podium with a third-place finish.

The Ducks will be pointing towards the NCAA Indoor Championships at Texas A&M University in College Station on March 9-10. Prior to that competition, Team USA will be selected at the USATF Indoor Championships, Feb. 16-18, in Albuquerque, followed by the IAAF World Indoor Championships, March 1-4, in Birmingham, England.

Let’s be certain we all come together to support these amazing athletes.

OTC Grant Awards Impact Many Projects

Each year the Oregon Track Club promotes the growth of track and field and running- related projects throughout our community with the Grass Roots Grant program. An example of the membership One of the main goals of Oregon Track Club committee’s creative work. is to promote and help develop the sport of track and field, and we are proud of our ability to financially support programs, especially at Club Committees the youth level. Focus on 2018 OTC is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s grants: $3,000, Sheldon High School for the The Oregon Track Club begins a new year Community Track Project. with a focus on continuing many ongoing $2,500, Marist High School to help projects and starting several new initiatives. with construction of a new track Much of the work done by OTC is facility. accomplished through the Club’s committees. $2,000, Raising the Bar Vault Club for facility rental fees. The Club has two committee chairpersons $1,500, Bertha Holt Elementary who have recently volunteered to lead their School for the 4th and 5th grade track respective committees. Kelli Matthews, and field meet. Marketing Committee, and Jimi Connors, $1,280, Eugene School District 4J Membership Committee. dispersed equally among the eight middle school track and field These two committees have been working programs. together to promote OTC, improve member benefits and recruit new members. Thank you to all groups who submitted applications. Connors has created some awesome new OTC apparel designs. Matthews and her The grant application process begins in committee have energized the Club’s social August with the necessary paperwork media activities. Watch for more great news available on the Oregon Track Club website. from these committees. Final requests are due by the end of September, and grant recipients are notified in The other Club committees and their November or early December. chairperson:

Hospitality Committee, Ed Kousky; Nominating Committee, Sandy Pashkin; Finance Committee, Maureen Pollock; Eugene Marathon Officials Committee, Dave O’Brien; By-Laws Committee, Vacant; ​Entry Fee Discounts Grass Roots Committee, Cathie Twomey-Bellamy; Another OTC member benefit is discounts on Pre's Trail, Mike Olsen; race entry fees for the Eugene Marathon, Half Run/Walk Series,Todd Bosworth; Marathon and 5K. Youth Committee, Vacant. Use code OTC18EM for a $10 discount on the If you have an interest in serving on a full and half marathon. Use code OTC185 for committee, contact the OTC Administrator at a $5 discount for the 5K. 541-343-7247 or email [email protected]. Be sure and follow the Club activities on Facebook at Oregon Track Club, Twitter at @oregontrackclub.org, Instagram at oregontrackclub.

Oregonians Win USATF Awards

An OTC member, Bob Latham of Bend, earned two awards at the recent U.S.A Track and Field Association Annual Meeting.

Latham took home the Cross Country Council Award of Merit and the H. Browning Ross Merit Award. The Cross Country award recognizes volunteer Where in the World? service to the sport of Cross Country. The Ross award is given annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution and/or been of Bill Kelly, OTC member and former Club service to the sport of long distance running. president, recently traveled to Morocco. He visited a women’s cooperative in a village called Ksar Ait Jerry Schumacher, of Portland, was named Nike Ben Hadou. The cooperative teaches young girls Coach of the Year. Schumacher is to read and start businesses. They are also taught the Bowerman Track Club coach. Mehndi design body art using the henna plant powder. Bill asked for a design of the OTC logo on his hand.

Business Members

Brown Contracting, Inc. Laser Image - Supporter Member Byrke Beller MD, - Pacific Women’s Ctr Let’s Move LLC Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architects and Lile/Eugene Moving & Storage Planners LPL Financial - Kelly G. Higgins, Financial Advisor Chambers Construction Company Marilyn Milne at Public Relations Services LLC - Curtis Restaurant Equipment Supporter Member Custom Orthotics Michael Keller Realty of Spokane, WA - Supporter D2000 Safety, Inc. Member Dave Henry Real Estate Services, Inc. Mike Fanelli David E. Carmichael, Attorney - Supporter Member Musgrove Mortuaries & Cemeteries Douglas Gallagher Law Office National Fire Fighter - Supporter Member Downtown Athletic Club - Supporter Member On Track and Field, Inc. Eclectic Edge Racing – Champion Member Oregon Medical Group Orthopedic & Sports Eugene Airport - Champion Member Medicine Clinic - Champion Member Eugene Physical Therapy, LLC - Supporter Member Postal Pharmacy, Inc. Eugene Running Club Prichard Partners, Inc. Eugene Running Company RBC Wealth Management, Todd G. Bosworth Eugene Wellness Center Rexius Forest By-Products Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission RunnerSpace - Champion Member European Touch Painting Co Run Hub Northwest - Supporter Member Franklin R. Lulich, CPA, P.C. Runnin’ Wild Garden Way Chiropractic Center Sapient Private Wealth Management Gleaves Swearingen LLP, Attorneys at Law Sightline Property Inspections Handy Ed Construction Slocum Orthopedics, PC - Champion Member Health & Safety Institute The Carpet Company Hughes Financial Group at Wells Fargo Advisors - Track Town Pizza - Champion Member Supporter Member Tracktown Orthodontics - Champion Member Hutchinson, Cox, Coons, Orr & Sherlock, P.C. Trisha Kluge, LMT Innovative Print Group Tyree Oil, Inc. - Champion Member Kalen Electric & Machinery, Inc. Valley River Inn - Champion Member Kathleen Dugan LMT Wilson Sound and Lights Zander Taylor Local Officials Selected To Work National USATF Championships

The annual meeting of of America Track and Field (USATF) was held Nov. 29 - Dec. 3.

A selection process took place during the convention and a number of Hayward Field officials were selected to work 2018 national championship competitions.

These individuals submitted applications in September and were chosen from a nationwide pool of over 360 applicants. Congratulations to our officials who consistently show the expertise and regard the national association has for our Hayward Field officials.

“It’s something that I want to do. I’m trying to get fit now,” Usain Bolt commenting on his plan to play professional soccer.

“Oregon is the place I’d want to be. TrackTown USA is just different. They have a supportive running culture as compared to other places where they don’t know running as much,” Kate Murphy, one of the top 2017 Oregon recruits.

"We need to have some early hour moments of unease about what we are prepared to do. We have to be radical. We are in the entertainment business. We should just look at this now, recognize that we have to make those changes. Everything is on the table,” IAAF President Sebastian Coe Usain Bolt explaining how track and field should embrace radical change in the fight to stay relevant.

"My goal is to change the face of sports governance. Ideally I want to train sports integrity officers,” Prof. Mike McNamee, Swansea University, Wales and co-chair of a conference on Sports Ethics and Integrity.

OTCM Annual Dinner Set for January 12

UO Track & Field’s Lance Deal to Speak

Olympic hammer throw silver medal winner Lance Deal will be the guest speaker at the OTC Masters Annual Dinner. Lance won a gold medal at the 1995 Pan Am games, then took a silver in the 1996 Olympics.

The OTCM Annual Dinner is set for Friday, January 12 in the McKenzie Room at the Valley River Inn, Eugene. A social hour begins at 5:30 p.m.followed by the dinner at 6:30 p.m. See the RSVP request below.

Lance currently serves as Director of Track & Field Venues and Program Support at the .

At the Annual Dinner, OTCM presents All-American certificates as well as awards for the top ten age-graded marks by OTCM Club members in each of four categories: track events, field events, road races, race walks. There will be an election of OTCM officers and Board members.

Officers and Board Members Stand for Election

• President: Trisha Kluge • Vice-President: Cindy McCabe • Secretary: Bettina Huber • Treasurer: Sandy Pashkin • 3-year director: Gary Jacobson • 1-year directors: Kevin Marbury, James Platt, Alison Wood Tom Pattee will serve year 2 of his 3 year term. Celeste Kuta will serve year 3 of her 3 year term. Mike Cahn will continue to serve as Past President. James Platt and Alison Wood are new to the OTCM Board of Directors.

Join us at the Valley River Inn upstairs in the main building’s McKenzie Room for the OTC Masters Annual Dinner.

Masters Holiday Party a Success

The OCTM Holiday Party on December 8 drew about 35 members.The Washington Park location is now also home to a pre-school and our space was rather limited. Next year’s party could be in a different location. Thank you all who were there.

OTCM members enjoy the annual holiday party held in December.

Events Calendar

January February 1: OTC Renew your Membership 3: Bristow Trail Runs, 50K, 25K, 10M, 5M, 8:30 1: First Run, 10K, 5K, 10 a.m., Eugene a.m., Pleasant Hill 2: OTC Masters workout, 5 p.m., S. Eugene H.S. 6: TrackTown Tuesday, 6:00 p.m, Downtown track Athletic Club 9: OTC Masters workout, 5 p.m., S. Eugene H.S. 10: Couples Classic, 5K, Eugene track 11: Truffle Shuffle, 4M, 2M, Eugene 9: TrackTown Tuesday, 6:00 p.m, Downtown 13: OTC Annual Meeting/Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Club Athletic Club Room, Autzen Stadium 10: OTC Board meeting, 7 a.m., Valley River Inn 18: Mardi Gras, 5K, 3 p.m., Eugene 12: OTCM Annual Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Valley River ​20: Annual UO Officials Meeting, 6:00 p.m. Club Inn Room, Autzen Stadium 16: OTC Masters workout, 5 p.m., S. Eugene H.S. 24: Hamlin Winter Grit, 1.7M, Springfield track 23: OTC Masters workout, 5 p.m., S. Eugene H.S. track March Sneak Peek 27: Winter Predictor, 13K, 6K, noon, Eugene 8: OTC Monthly Run/Walk Series, 5K, 6:00 p.m., 30: OTC Masters workout, 5 p.m., S. Eugene H.S. Alton Baker Park track

Oregon Track Club Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT 2350 Oakmont Way, Suite 201, Eugene, OR 97401 • Phone: 541-343-7247 Email: [email protected]